What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Job Hunting
There was no way I was going to land the first museum job I applied for.
I wasn't expecting to: I was unsure how to structure my writing, what experiences to include, or how to sell myself. These things, I trusted, would come with practice. However, one year on and two paid museum jobs later, I doubt I could make a much better operation of that first application. I was under-qualified, under-experienced and trying to shoot my shot with a role that was ~certainly not~ an entry-level position.
But I didn't know that at the time.
There are lots of things I'll do differently next time I peruse the job market. I learnt much from the advice of experienced professionals, but, mostly, I learnt by screwing up. Given the infrequency of application feedback and the fact that most wannabes lack industry contacts, I've decided to compile a list of some useful things I discovered while job hunting. It's by no means exhaustive, and I'm sure I'll make more mistakes during future job hunts, but for now, here's the knowledge I wish I started out with.
On the Prowl: Looking for Opportunities
Before you set eyes on an application, it's good to know where to look and what to look out for. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're browsing vacancies:
Tip 1 - Know Your Terminology
As you heard in that introductory anecdote, I had no idea how to spot an entry-level job. I applied for a handful of 'Officer' roles before an acquaintance hinted that these weren't typically entry-level. Although this might seem obvious to some, I had no idea that the title I needed to be looking out for was 'Assistant'. Needless to say, once I started applying for entry-level roles, I found it easier to write my applications, and eventually, had a bit more success when applying.
In addition to 'Assistant', other keywords and titles to look out for are:
- Trainee/Traineeship: Essentially a museums apprenticeship, these are great if you're looking to learn and earn. They're a fantastic way to gain experience, especially if volunteering isn't an option for you. Furthermore, I've noticed traineeships moving away from requiring HE qualifications, making them an accessible route into the sector.- Casual Role: A bit like a zero-hours contract, employers are not obligated to give casual workers any shifts. Where the contracts differ is that casual workers don't have to accept any hours offered. Casual workers are also not formerly employed by the institution they work for. Although the flexibility of casual positions might seem appealing, make sure to check the job description and contract for clauses regarding holiday pay and sickness.
- Competitive Salary: This is when an employer does not disclose the salary during recruitment, often with the intention of adjusting the salary based on the successful applicant's skills and experience. Sometimes, these jobs might ask you to state your minimum annual salary, which is quite daunting when starting out. Overall, competitive salaries are not a great practice as they further disadvantage underrepresented groups in the sector.
Tip 2 - Check More than Just Job Sites
When I first started my job hunt, I lived for the weekly listing on a certain jobs desk. Indeed, there are lots of useful sites that list opportunities nationally, but for a while, these were the only places I actively looked for jobs. Eventually, I began bookmarking the recruitment pages of specific institutions that caught my eye. This turned out to be a more reliable way of finding jobs I actually wanted to do and is how I discovered my current role.
Tip 3 - Check Location First, Job Description Second
Another issue of blindly browsing job sites is you come across your dream job... In a location you can't commute to. This heartbreak happened a lot in the early days, so I started searching where an institution was before I read the full job description. If you're unsure of who your local museums are I suggest taking a day to research and save the sites of your faves.
Ready to Pounce: Writing Your Application
So, you've found a job you want to apply for and you're ready to start typing. What should you write? How long should it take?
Tip 4 - Not Everyone Wants to See Your CV
This was my first big surprise when I started applying: at least half of the applications I read (and all but one I applied for) opted for an online form rather than a traditional cover letter and CV. These forms varied wildly: some asked specific questions I've not seen since, while others provided a blank box in which to sell myself. However, there were some shared features to keep in mind when approaching online forms:
- Most Sites Require a Login: grab a notepad or something because, boy, are you going to create a lot of new passwords.- 'References Available on Request' isn't an Option: Online forms typically have a tick box asking if your referees can be contacted prior to an interview, but you still need to provide their details at the start of the application process. It's always a good idea to get your referee(s) consent before naming them, so reach out way in advance of when you intend to submit your application.
- Keep a Copy of Your Responses: It's useful to know what you said, either for future applications or interview preparation. Some sites allow you to download a copy of your application, but some don't, so paste your responses into a document just to be safe!
Tip 5 - Use the Job Description's Language: It's often assumed that applications are scanned for language similar to the job description, with those scoring a high match determined to be best suited to the job. Regardless, I found using the words and phrasing of the job description was a great way to keep my writing relevant. One tip I received was to use the person specification criteria as titles for your points while weaving language from the other sections into supporting paragraphs. This is a great way to explicitly display how you meet all the criteria, as well as (possibly) beating some algorithms.
Tip 6 - Address EVERY Point on the Person Specification: A kind recruiter who provided feedback on an application explained to me that, due to how applications are scored, it is best to address every point individually. Yes, even those two similar points should be tackled separately. When I asked if this could make applications lengthy, they reassured me that, as long as the information was clear and I didn't exceed any word limits, the length wouldn't matter.
Tip 7 - 3 Hours MAX per Application: This is a tip I learned from a talk on entering the sector, which has since been uploaded to YouTube. Initially, I put about a week's worth of work into each application I wrote; a process that swiftly became demoralising due to burnout and repeated rejections. However, upon taking the panel's advice and restricting myself to 3 hours per application, I began to feel less bogged down by the process. Limiting the time I spent on each application meant I didn't become too attached to certain roles and could focus on elements of my life outside of the job hunt. If you feel that the hunt is consuming you, I really recommend setting a time limit per application.
Sharpening the Tools: What to do When You Can't Find Anything to Apply for
There will be times when you're in the mood for applications but nothing's caught your eye. Here are some things to keep you occupied in those moments:
Tip 8 - Jazz up Your CV: While this may seem an obvious task for downtime, due to the number of online applications I filled in, it took a good few months before I had a CV in the works. Even if you have a traditional CV good to go, consider creating a functional CV as well. Functional CVs focus on your skills, rather than employment history, and are a great option if you have limited sector experience or are looking for your first job.
Tip 9 - Reach Out to Referees: As an important part of the application process, it's always a good idea to keep your referees in the loop. I also found my referees were a great source of advice during the job hunt and keen to assist with applications. One of my biggest regrets was not reaching out to potential referees sooner: some jobs ask for specific types of referee (past employer, education referee, etc...) and it's good to have all bases covered. Typically, applications ask for two referees, and I recommend having a third contact ready to go in case you lose touch with someone or need something specific.
Tip 10 - Revisit Rejections: If you're feeling brave, revisit past applications, their respective Job Descriptions, and critique yourself. I took some time to reflect on past applications and, with fresh eyes and the opportunity to compare different roles I'd applied for, I spotted one piece of criteria that I repeatedly failed to meet and needed to work on. However, revisiting applications was also weirdly positive: I could see how my writing style developed, and that, although I was still receiving rejections, my later applications were stronger than my first.
Conclusion
So, there you go, my 10 tips for job hunting. Hopefully, this was useful to some of you on the prowl for employment in the sector. There is one crucial part of the application process which I've not addressed: interviews. In all honesty, I've not had many, but I do have a thread of interview advice from the lovely museum people on Twitter, which you can check out here. Feel free to add your own interview tips and please share your job hunting advice too!
British Museum Youth Collective presents: Museums Unlocked: Getting your foot in the door: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oThuav4DgIU
Contract Types and Employer Responsibilities: Zero-Hour Contracts: https://www.gov.uk/contract-types-and-employer-responsibilities/zero-hour-contracts